FRUGAL CHIC

Are you interested in learning more about Frugal Chic? I’m here to talk about this trend.

 

 

What is frugal chic and where did this trend come from? I believe Mia McGrath coined the term Frugal Chic and anything that has anything to do with personal finance, I’m here for it. To be fair, for many this is not a trend. These are a collection of life hacks that help you maintain a certain quality of life (call it luxurious or whatever you wish) and save, or at least be intentional about spending. That’s my understanding of it.

I am a bit obsessed with budgeting, because I think being financially secure is so important and budgeting is a first step towards that. While I may love shopping, all of my purchases come from budgeting and planning and very few are impulsive. So when I speak about this topic, I genuinely practice these hacks, they aren’t just ideas that I’m preaching.

 

If you want to learn more about Frugal Chic, I’m here to share with you all the strategies I use.

 

STOP THE HAULS

Nothing good comes out of unintentionally buying many pieces all at once – especially if it’s being done for content creation and influencing. I particularly dislike Amazon hauls, because the quality isn’t there, you’re lucky if you get a few wears out of them, and they will likely eventually get trashed or donated.

 

BUY SECOND HAND

I have been leaning heavily on the second hand market lately. The quality of old or vintage pieces is unmatched, together with a lower price point is a no brainer. If you’ve never bought second hand, it’s a bit of trial and error until you get used to it – although I have to say I’ve been lucky. I did a short series this past year on how to buy and sell from the second hand market (Part I, and Part II). There are certain tips and tricks on how to make sure you are getting what you hoped for.

 

WEAR THINGS ON REPEAT

I thoroughly enjoy wearing things on repeat. I gravitate towards classics because I like them, but they are also easy to repeat vs trendy items, that have a time stamp. It’s ok to really like a trend, just be sure to be ok wearing the item long after the trend dies.

 

BUY IT NICE OR BUY IT TWICE

I spend a little bit more time up front when making a purchase so that whatever I’m adding to my wardrobe is something that will last me a long time. I look at fabric composition, stitching, etc. I have knitwear from mid-range brands that I have been wearing for more than ten years. Those are some of my favorite pieces and feel like second skin. Not everything has to be a luxury item, what I am referencing here is the quality of the item. Yes, they will cost more than a fast-fashion item, but will last you, and that is wear you hopefully get joy or maybe some savings out of. 

 

VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS

If you have an actual deficiency, by all means, please take what you are prescribed. I take vitamin D every day because I am actually deficient. But I don’t follow that with 17 tablets of this and that, which allegedly improve skin, hair, nails, cleanses your liver, strengthens your ligaments (those last two were my favorite! hah). Many supplements are marketed for things they do not improve at all, many do not contain the ingredients they claim they do and more importantly, many contain harmful ingredients that aren’t listed on the packaging. Wellness is a 7 billion unregulated industry, keep that in mind when you spend your hard earned dollars. Focus on eating a healthy diet instead.

 

FORGET THE $9 LATTE

I rarely get coffee from Cafes, and when I do it’s because I’m meeting someone. I very frequently go out for afternoon walks and before I leave my apartment, I make a hot cup of my favorite Late and sip on that instead of walking to the nearest coffee shop and dropping ten dollars on something I may not thoroughly enjoy. If you don’t want to carry a reusable cup, you can also use buy single use cups with lids. I use those sparingly, and mostly when I know I am going to be out and about. 

 

COOK A MEAL UNDER 10 MINS

In order to cut back on deliveries and take out, try to find 5 recipes that are quick and easy to make at home. No one wants to go to the kitchen and spend hours making something when they are super hungry. In order to fight the urge to order, try to make something under 10 mins, you will be more likely to skip take out.

 

STICK TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT

I consider it a splurge when I take an Uber to work, especially on the weekends. But honestly, I’m not exactly sure it’s serving a purpose. I genuinely don’t mind the subway in NYC at all, and whenever I push myself to take public transport instead, it doesn’t negatively affect me. It is one of my goals this year to use less Uber and more subways.

 

DO LAUNDRY YOURSELF

If you live in New York City, try to find ways around doing your own laundry at a nearby laundromat, instead of dropping off your clothes to the nearest dry cleaner for laundry services. Even if it’s not a big expense, this is a lifelong service you’re paying for and inevitably will be wasting you a lot of money. When I needed a laundromat (before my last move), I tried to combine groceries with laundry. I would load the machine on my way to the nearest grocery store and then on my way back would transfer my clothes to the drier. It saved me an extra trip or having to wait there (I could never!).

 

BUY NOW PAY LATER

Please don’t buy things if you do not have the money for them saved up front. While these companies who offer buy now and pay later, will not add an upfront interest, they will do so if you ever miss a payment. So why risk it? What’s the rush?

 

NO BUY MONTHS

I think it was Jenn Im, who first introduced me to the concept of no buy days and no buy months. I started with no buy days and frankly didn’t think they were effective. I would not buy on certain days and then double up on the days that I could. It wasn’t until I did no buy months that I felt the effect. First, it’s really hard, you might fail. Then you get used to the idea, you might enjoy it even… but the biggest win is that it will turn you into this intentional frugal human being that you never thought you could be. You will be more likely to stick to your wishlist and budget.

 

If you want to learn more about Frugal Chic, I’m here to share with you all the strategies I use.

 

As always, thank you for stopping by and reading. If this content interested you, you might want to follow my Instagram account @girlontheues

 

See you next time,

Girl on the Upper East Side

Xx

 

If this interests you, you might enjoy reading my blog post on Underconsumption Core, How to Be More Productive, and How to Be More Organized.